What is the molecular formula of pentanoic acid?
(A) C₅H₈O
(B) C₅H₁₀O
(C) C₅H₁₀O₂
(D) C₅H₁₁O₂ - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 3
What is the molecular formula of pentanoic acid?
(A) C₅H₈O
(B) C₅H₁₀O
(C) C₅H₁₀O₂
(D) C₅H₁₁O₂
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What is the molecular formula of pentanoic acid?
(A) C₅H₈O
(B) C₅H₁₀O
(C) C₅H₁₀O₂
(D) C₅H₁₁O₂ - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the molecular formula of pentanoic acid
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Answer
Pentanoic acid is a carboxylic acid with a five-carbon chain. The general formula for carboxylic acids is CₙH₂ₙ₊₁COOH, where n is the number of carbon atoms in the chain. For pentanoic acid (n=5), the molecular formula is:
C5H10O2
This corresponds to option (C) in the choices provided.